Patents Assigned to SciMed
  • Methods and apparatus for dispersing current flow in electrosurgery
    Patent number: 7883507
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering, monitoring, balancing, and/or dispersing high-frequency current flow in monopolar electrosurgery. The methods generally include positioning an active electrode in or on target tissue, positioning at least two dispersive electrodes on tissue remote from the target tissue, establishing electrical current flow from the active electrode through the dispersive electrodes, and individually adjusting the current through at least one of the dispersive electrodes to balance the current through the dispersive electrodes. By adjusting and balancing the current through two or more dispersive electrodes, safety of electrosurgical systems may be enhanced by preventing unwanted patient burns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry W. Jarrard, Robert S. Behl
  • Devices and methods for the treatment of endometriosis
    Patent number: 7883506
    Abstract: A tissue treatment device comprises an insertion sized and shaped for insertion into the body via a trocar and a diagnostic element coupled to the insertion section, the diagnostic element illuminating tissue with the light of a wavelength selected to facilitate identification of target tissue in combination with an ultrasound element coupled to the insertion section for delivering to a portion of tissue illuminated by the diagnostic element ultrasound energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon T. McIntyre, Francis P. Grillo, Isaac Ostrovsky
  • Medical device
    Patent number: 7883515
    Abstract: A stone retrieval suction device facilitates the retention and then relocation and/or removal of objects disposed in a patient's urinary system. The device includes an elongated member for placement in a channel of a flexible ureteroscope. The elongated member defines a suction passageway which extends longitudinally therethrough. The elongated member is flexible enough to bend with the flexible ureteroscope, and it is strong enough to prevent collapse of the suction passageway when suction is provided through the suction passageway by a vacuum source. The elongated member includes a distal portion for contacting and retaining an object when the suction is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason W. Kear
  • Stapling and cutting in resectioning for full thickness resection devices
    Patent number: 7882995
    Abstract: A stapling unit for use with an endoscopic stapling system adapted to be advanced along an endoscope to a predetermined location within a body lumen to staple the portion of tissue, as part of an occlusal or full thickness resectioning procedure. The stapling unit comprises a first casing having a distal end, a proximal end and a stapling device mounted thereto adjacent to a first window extending through a periphery of the first casing. The invention includes methods for the stapling, severing and removal of tissue by using the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary McAlister, Robert L. Sakal
  • TUBULAR IMPLANTABLE SLING AND RELATED DELIVERY SYSTEMS, METHODS AND DEVICES
    Publication number: 20110028779
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to surgically implantable supportive slings. More specifically, in various embodiments, the invention is directed to systems, devices and methods relating to a surgically implantable supportive sling having an adjustable shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. H. Chu
  • Hypotube endoluminal device and method
    Patent number: 7879081
    Abstract: A self-expanding endoluminal device comprising a tubular filamentary member having a hollow core for receiving a guidewire, the tubular member having a straightened configuration with the guidewire in the hollow core, a shape memory configuration without the guidewire in the hollow core, and an extension, optionally severable, accessible from outside of the body. The hollow core may be adapted to contain and elute or permanently contain a substance, which may be injected through the extension. A delivery system includes the guidewire, and a deployment method includes deployment with a proximal end of the extension accessible from outside of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristian DiMatteo, Robert C. Thistle
  • Device and method for collapsing an angioplasty balloon
    Patent number: 7879005
    Abstract: A device for collapsing a balloon in the vasculature of a patient after an angioplasty procedure includes a balloon and at least one elastomeric member that is attached to the inner surface of the balloon at a plurality of attachment points. Preferably, the elastomeric member is an annular band that will stretch during balloon inflation. Consequently, when the balloon is deflated, the elastomeric member pulls on the balloon at its attachment points to return the balloon to a predetermined configuration, wherein the balloon collapses inwardly onto itself for subsequent removal of the balloon from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Show-Mean Wu, Herbert R. Radisch, Jr.
  • Device and method for through the scope endoscopic hemostatic clipping
    Patent number: 7879052
    Abstract: Medical device used to cause hemostasis of blood vessels using a clip arrangement delivered to a target region through an endoscope. Method for using the device to cause hemostasis of a blood vessel through an endoscope. Medical device including a reversibly closeable clip, a locking arrangement, a control wire, a sheath, and a handle with an actuating trigger. Through the endoscope, hemostatic clipping device that is fully reversible and lockable. Hemostatic clip that reversibly targets and clips bleeding ulcers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Adams, Russell F. Durgin, Vincent Turturro, Justin Grant, Norman May, Roy H. Sullivan, III
  • Ventricular assist and support device
    Patent number: 7878966
    Abstract: A ventricular assist device to provide cardiac assistance to a damaged ventricle chamber. The ventricular assist device is formed of an ventricle body which is anchorable to spaced ventricle wall portions to provide cardiac assistance. Operation of the ventricular assist device is timed or synchronized with the operating phases of the ventricle chamber. The ventricular assist device can be intravascularly deployed to provide a less invasive treatment procedure and can be adapted to provide static support if active assistance is no longer required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark L. Jenson
  • Balloon with stepped sections and implements
    Patent number: 7879053
    Abstract: A catheter balloon may include a proximal waist portion, a proximal cone portion, a first body portion, a second body portion, a third body portion, a distal cone portion and a distal waist portion. The second body portion may comprise a stepped-down section. An inflated diameter of the second body portion may be less than an inflated diameter of the first body portion or the third body portion. An outer surface of the second body portion may be provided with at least one implement, such as a blade or stiffening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Trinidad
  • Pelvic floor repair system
    Patent number: 7878969
    Abstract: Systems, method, and devices related to surgically implantable supportive slings are presented herein. More specifically, in various embodiments, the systems, devices and methods relate to a surgically implantable supportive sling adapted to anchor in patient tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. H. Chu, Brett Nowlin
  • Medical device for navigation through anatomy and method of making same
    Patent number: 7878984
    Abstract: Medical devices for navigation through anatomy, including guidewires, which may have a core wire, a slotted tubular member, or both. Embodiments may have coils, including non-circular cross-section edge-wound marker coils, extended coil tips, and soldered or glued mesial joint coils. Core wires may have a step, ridge, or taper at the joints to the tubular member, and may be flattened at the distal tip. Radiopaque material may be located inside the tubular member, and the distal tip may be heat treated to make it shapeable. Additional tubular members or coils may be used concentrically or in line and may end in depth radunequal in depth opacity, reduce friction, or reduce material or manufacturing cod in groups, such as groups of three, and may be equally spaced around the axis or offset to provide a steerable or compressible tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Clark C. Davis, Clay W. Northrop, Ted W. Layman, Kevin T. Olson, Edward J. Snyder, D. Kent Backman, Todd H. Turnlund
  • Micro structure stent configurations
    Patent number: 7879082
    Abstract: Fine structure stents physiologically acceptable to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Brown
  • Apparatus and method for suspending a uterus
    Patent number: 7878970
    Abstract: An inter-vaginal device for performing a uterine suspension includes a rigid body for manipulating the uterus and implanting a suspension member, such as a mesh, for securing the uterus to an anchoring site (e.g., into a pelvic muscle or ligament). In one embodiment, a method includes inserting at least a portion of a uterine suspension member through an anterior or posterior vaginal incision. An end of the suspension member is anchored to a selected portion of a pelvic tissue. At least a portion of the suspension member is attached to a vaginal apex. A uterine manipulator is advanced in a direction toward the selected portion of the pelvic tissue such that at least a portion of a uterus is moved upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger P. Goldberg
  • System and method for tissue sampling and therapeutic treatment
    Patent number: 7879054
    Abstract: A biopsy system comprises a first placeholder element insertable through tissue to a first selected location in a patient's body, the first placeholder element including a first element guide and a tissue sampling element insertable to the first selected location via the first element guide for obtaining a sample of tissue from the first selected location, the tissue sampling element being removable from the first element guide while leaving the first placeholder element at the first selected location in combination with a tissue treatment element insertable to the first selected location via the first element guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry N. Gellman, Jozef Slanda
  • Medical device having a coating comprising an adhesion promoter
    Patent number: 7879086
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a coating for a medical device, such as an intravascular stent, in which the coating, which comprises a first coating region comprising an adhesion promoter and a therapeutic agent. The coating can also include a second coating region which is substantially free of the adhesion promoter or any adhesion promoter. The invention is also directed to a method for manufacturing such a coated medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Liza J Davis
  • ePTFE crimped graft
    Patent number: 7879085
    Abstract: The present invention provides an expanded tubular graft formed of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). The graft has first and second open ends and a surface longitudinally extending between the ends. The graft also includes an inner and outer cylindrical walls, where the walls have crimps or corrugations located along the surface of the graft. Additionally, the graft is coated with biocompatible elastomer covering portions of the outer cylindrical walls of the PTFE graft. The resulting ePTFE crimped graft exhibits various enhanced properties, such as adjustable graft length, high kink resistance, improved suture retention and high crush resistance as compared to the same graft without the crimps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Krzysztof Sowinski, Jamie S Henderson
  • Connective tissue closure device and method
    Patent number: 7875054
    Abstract: A device for closing wounds such as openings in blood vessels as well as a method of doing so are disclosed. The device employs a fabric wrapped around an expandable frame both of which are inserted into a blood vessel through an introducer sheath. Once inserted, the expandable frame expands thereby expanding the fabric therewith. The fabric is made from a bioabsorbable material and includes a plurality of microhooks extending therefrom. One suitable material is polylactic acid fiber. Upon retraction of the device, the microhooks engage the adventitia surrounding the blood vessel causing the fabric to remain in position sealing the opening even after the expandable member is retracted and removed as well as the introducer sheath As the fabric is made from a bioabsorbable material, the device can remain in place even after hemostasis is reached and eventually dissolve within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel M. LaFontaine
  • Stent with support element
    Patent number: 7875069
    Abstract: An implantable stent comprising a first strut having an abluminal surface, and subluminal surface, and at least one side surface; a first depression formed in the abluminal surface; and a first support element at least partially disposed in the first depression; wherein at least a portion of the first support element extends beyond the abluminal surface of the first strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Heaney, Dave McMorrow, Anthony Malone, Aiden Flanagan, Tim O'Connor
  • Releasable basket and method of making thereof
    Patent number: 7875038
    Abstract: A medical retrieval device includes a basket formed of two or more loops. The basket may be used to retrieve material (e.g., a urinary stone) from a body. The basket opens and closes for end-encapsulation of a stone and is strengthened by support members that interconnect the basket loops. A captured stone may be from the basket with the basket still in the body by opening the loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Like Que, James A. Teague, James S. Bates, Stéphane Gobron, Tim Ward